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Games shooters set for future success

Nathan Paull

Australia's shooting team believe their dramatic turnaround in fortunes at the Commonwealth Games has set the basis for years of sustained success.

The Australians topped the shooting medal table and their six gold medals and two bronze over the five days of competition after posting their worst result in 32 years in Delhi four years ago.

Not only did the Glasgow squad surpass the Delhi effort of three gold, two silver and two bronze, they did so despite the axing of teams events which reduced the total of medal events from 36 to just 19.

Shooting Australia CEO Damien Marangon said the 29-strong team - exceeded only by only athletics, swimming and cycling in terms of medal success - performed beyond expectations.

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"We are delighted that so many of our athletes, when getting into medal positions, have actually been able to convert," he said.

"We're thrilled with the way the athletes have responded, particularly under pressure."

Marangon said it was no accident, given the sport's renewed emphasis on its high-performance program following the woeful result in Delhi.

"We've put a lot of time, effort, energy and resources into getting that right," he said.

"And I think Glasgow is just the first step in the journey we need to take to truly become a successful sport and have sustained international success."

Marangon said Australia's shooting gold medallists showed the sport was growing and appealing to a wider audience.